Men's right group protests 'discriminatory' proposed marriage law

Kolkata, Aug 25 (IANS) A men's rights group Sunday took out a rally protesting against the proposed Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2002, alleging it would breakdown the traditional family system by introducing no-fault divorce and was heavily loaded against the husband.

"Similar laws in the west have led to breakdown of the traditional family system. In the US, while only 20 percent of couples who married in 1950 ended up divorced, about 50 percent of couples who married in 1970 did so after the no-fault divorce came into being," said Hriday spokesperson Anil Gupta.

He said as per the proposed legislation, which has received the nod from the cabinet, a wife can walk out of the marriage on her sweet will.

"As a reward for divorce, minimum 50 percent of the assets of the husband will be given to the wife, as per the new law. But the husband can't make any such claim."

He said by giving wife 50 percent share in the husband's property, the new amendment seeks to deprive others of their rights and shares, thereby subjecting them to "abject poverty".

"In this way, the amendment will do great disservice to aged parents. While the husband cannot challenge the divorce petition, the wife can do so on grounds of financial hardship."

Moreover, the assets of the husband would be divided pre-marriage and post-marriage, inherited and inheritable - movable and immovable assets.

"But even in western laws, only marital property - and not inherited property or wealth acquired prior to marriage - is considered. Both husband's and wife's property is considered. And consideration is also given to spouse's contribution to marital property at the time of divorce," he said.